WINTER 2020 WINGS NO.2 72 VOLUME MISSION CONTROL THE ROLE OF A NASA FLIGHT DIRECTOR THE RIGHT STUFF FROM TEST PILOT TO ASTRONAUT Battle of darwin LEAD UP TO THE JAPANESE ATTACK AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE defencebank.com.au 1800 033 139 1234 5678 1234 5678 Everything a cadet needs, and then some. Created especially for cadets - our Cadet Saver is fee free. • Your choice of camo Visa Debit card. • Visa payWave. • Apple Pay, Google Pay™, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. • Online banking. • Award-winning app. Then, on top of all that, a healthy interest rate on your savings. .00 p.a.% 2 Variable rate.* Talk to us today to find out more. *Terms and conditions, fees and charges may apply in certain situations. Interest rate is current as at 27 April 2017 and is subject to change without notice. Before acquiring any product please read the Products and Services – Conditions of Use (DPS) available from www.defencebank.com.au to consider whether any product is right for you. Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 234582. CONTENTS. FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR defencebank.com.au 1800 033 139 THIS WINTER EDITION marks the first ‘birthday’ for RAAFA Publications with respect to Wings. 24 When we first agreed to take on the publishing task, we were fully aware that this icon CONTENTS of the Association needed modernisation. The previous wings WINTER volume 72 / NO.2 publisher placed great store in its claim 4 WELCOME MESSAGE that the Air Force Association was about 5 FROM THE PRESIDENT 1234 5678 1234 5678 to change direction. However, they didn’t realise that real aviators think in three 6 ANZAC TRIBUTE 1234 5678 1234 5678 dimensions, and that the direction we 8 MILITARY AVIATION were taking on behalf of the Association 14 INDUSTRY NEWS was Up! Countless comments and letters 18 ASSOCIATION UPDATE in the past 12 months confirm we are well 24 IN THE HOT SEAT on that trajectory. NASA Mission Control Flight Director As I write this introduction, Australia 30 COVER STORY is in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. From Air Force test pilot to astronaut Everything a cadet needs, We, like many businesses, are feeling 36 RAPID FIRE the financial effects, as we have lost a Hypersonics research speeds up number of advertisers. However, we fully 38 CENTREFOLD 48 understand the reason and are grateful for Pull out and keep and then some. their past support. We’re confident we will see them again when circumstances allow. 40 A RICH MILITARY HISTORY RAAF Base Darwin Needless to say, we are also extremely Created especially for cadets - our Cadet Saver is fee free. grateful for those who continue to 48 A PRELUDE TO ATTACK support us. Without those businesses, Fannie Bay dogfight part 1 • Your choice of camo Visa Debit card. • Visa payWave. we would be unable to continue to serve 54 BRIMMING WITH STORIES The Darwin Aviation Museum • Apple Pay, Google Pay™, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. the Association and the RAAF in the way 58 • Online banking. • Award-winning app. we do. One supporter that bears special WARIES & STORIES mention is our sponsor Rolls Royce who A long and remarkable life has been with us for many years. 60 FORGOTTEN MONTHS OF Then, on top of all that, a healthy interest rate on your savings. In becoming the universal symbol THE FORGOTTEN WAR of quality, Rolls Royce owes its success No.77 Squadron in Korea to Sir Henry Royce, who, as the engineer 62 ODD BODS REMEMBERED % half of the original partnership with the Commemorative address .00 p.a. Hon Charles Rolls, was fanatical in his 63 RAPID RESPONSE pursuit of perfection. We at RAAFA Civilian search and rescue aircraft * Variable rate. Publications, and particularly our dedicated 64 PERSONAL FINANCE 2 Wings team, strive to follow his example, 66 MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP and we particularly thank the folk at Rolls 68 CADETS NEWS Talk to us today to find out more. Royce for their inspiration. 71 PRESIDENT’S DESK NEIL SMITH AM, MBE 72 LAST FLIGHT Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Managing Director 73 RAAF HERITAGE AWARDS RAAFA Publications 74 BOOK REVIEWS 60 WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 *Terms and conditions, fees and charges may apply in certain situations. Interest rate is current as at 27 April 2017 and is subject to change without notice. Before acquiring any product please read the Products and | 03 Services – Conditions of Use (DPS) available from www.defencebank.com.au to consider whether any product is right for you. Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 234582. WELCOME. SENIOR ADF OFFICER RAAF BASES DARWIN & CURTIN From raaf base DARWIN ON THE COVER HIS EDITION OF WINGS Our small posture is enhanced Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space features RAAF Base Darwin by the breadth and depth of our Center, Florida, on mission STS-112. Photo: NASA. and as the Senior ADF Officer interoperability exercises with allies for RAAF Bases Darwin and and likeminded regional forces. CurtinT (Derby), I am delighted RAAF Base Darwin provides a solid to contribute the forward address. and versatile geographic platform WINGS TEAM RAAF Base Darwin has a long and to support that evolution. WINGS MANAGER Ron Haack proud history in the contribution to This is the fifth edition of Wings EDITOR Sandy McPhie aviation in Australia and our aviation in its modernised format. Enjoy. ART DIRECTOR Katie Monin links to the rest of the world. ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Sue Guymer WGCDR Andrew Anthony From the England to Australia Great ASSISTANT EDITORS Commanding Officer No.13 Squadron Mike Nelmes (history) Air Race in 1919 through the defence Senior ADF Officer John Kindler, AO AFC (industry news) of the nation during the Second World Bob Treloar, AO MiD (military aviation) War to the current regional hub, RAAF RAAF Base Darwin & Curtin Base Darwin continues to play an CONTACT important role in regional and global E [email protected] relationships. W raafapublications.org.au Air bases are pivotal to the projection A RAAFANSW Publications Pty Ltd Salamander Bay LPO, PO Box 656 and sustainment of air power for both Salamander Bay 2317 civilian and military employment. Aviation’s reach and speed, however, DIGITAL EDITION is a double-edged sword; it facilitates To read this publication online, efficient engagement for commerce go to raafapublications.org.au/wings, and social and cultural integration or raafa.org.au/wings-archive across the globe, while also providing a convenient conduit for the transmission FACEBOOK Wings is now on Facebook, go to facebook. of diseases such as COVID-19. com/WingsMagazineRAAFAPublications Throughout history, aviation has adapted to new challenges and DISCLAIMER the current trough in this dynamic Information in the articles in this magazine was current at time enterprise will pass. Refined processes of publication but more recent developments should be checked with the relevant Defence and other authorities for currency and and procedures will be introduced to any changes to conditions. Content appearing in this publication mitigate a similar recurrence, and the does not necessarily reflect the views or have the endorsement of the Department of Defence or the publisher. While every effort future will be more digital and pervasive has been made to ensure accuracy and currency in the articles as a result. presented, reliance should not be placed on the information contained without reference to the relevant authorities. No part As we all know, Air Force is evolving of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent deliberately and rapidly into a 5th of RAAFANSW Publications. No responsibility is accepted by the publisher for the accuracy of advertisements or information. generation capability through selective acquisitions of complimentary assets, and the professionalism and agility of our people, to deliver an integrated force.ABOVE RAAF P-8A Poseidon. Photo: USAF Tech Sgt Heather Redman. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION 04 | WINTER 2020 WELCOME. NATIONAL PRESIDENT AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Carl Schiller OAM CSM PRESIDENT’S CORNER VICE PRESIDENT Sharon Bown SECRETARY Peter Colliver, Carl Schiller, OAM, CSM National President Air Force Association [email protected] TREASURER Bob Robertson OVID-19 HAS I have asked the JOIN THE AIR FORCE HEAVILY Association’s State/Territory ASSOCIATION IMPACTED Divisions to contact our lives their members to see Membership is open to serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force Cfrom the plethora of if they require assistance and Allied Armed Forces, their family news and social media and let them know they members, current and former Air Force and the implications are not alone in these Cadets, Air League Cadets and members of mandatory social circumstances. of the public who have an interest in distancing laws enforced COVID-19 has removed aviation and who support the mission and objectives of the Air Force Association. by government. The Air Force the opportunity to socialise with Association is mindful that many of our our mates at commemorations. members are elderly and therefore are Consequently, it is doubly important we DIVISION CONTACTS: among the most vulnerable groups. remain in contact with our members NSW: 02 9393 3485 However, being in this age cohort, during these challenging times. [email protected]; raafansw.org.au I am confident that social distancing is I know some members have been VIC: 03 9813 4600 the best defence we currently possess on cruise ships and others are stranded [email protected];raafavic.org.au to defeat the virus. overseas. Phone contact with stranded ACT: 0428 622 105 [email protected]; raafaact.org.au I am in weekly contact with members is a great source of support Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) and encouragement and warmly TAS: 03 6200 9221 [email protected]; raafatas.com as part of its Ex-Service Organisation appreciated.